Well, the Cubs won! I got so tense when the Indians tied it up in the 8th inning that I decided I'd watch the 9th then go to bed and make myself calm down and pray my Rosary, then of course afterward I peeked and saw that the Cubs had won. 😀 LOL!

That sequence of events may sound a bit extreme, but I can get so intensely emotional about so many things. It's how my brain is wired. Right now, while I'm healing and renewing and putting new ways into practice for my health's sake, I literally became concerned what the stress hormones might be doing to me. Probably being a bit too much of a worrier, but I just felt the need to exercise some mental and spiritual self-discipline.

Yesterday's doctor appointment went well. Last year about this time I had been very depressed and had a blubbering meltdown in front of her which was very embarrassing. So it was so cool to be able to go in there and report my happiness over my flatter tummy and my weight loss (total of 15 lbs. since April!) and be all smiles instead of tears. Got flu and tetanus shots. I'm not old enough or in a risk group so didn't get the pneumonia - doc didn't think Medicare would go for it. I think they should - if I were to get it and be coughing I'd blow out all the good the surgery did. So I'm going to see if I can get it through the health dept. Having the flu one will of course help lessen my chances of pneumonia, so that's something.

I feel like I'm kind of off-topic, and yet it does pertain to decluttering, because clutter accumulates when we're physically, mentally, and/or emotionally not in a good place to deal with daily life - and it starts to be easier to get rid of when we're on the upswing. I'm on the upswing, except for the lifting restrictions that I'm going to have to find some way to work around. For right now doing small things like papers - I sorted some today already - is a good start. Later on, I hope I can find some helpers to lift things for me.

Pats and headbonks to Marty. Hugs to everybody! And to any Cleveland Indians fans, your guys did great too. That series could've gone either way. 🙂

Spent some time over at the neighbor friend's house this afternoon.
Helped them get some stuff loaded and off to storage.
I was told tomorrow morning to bring my shovel and dig up the beautiful iris roots (rhizomes) to transplant in my garden.
Then I volunteered to come over in the afternoon and help her price her yard sale stuff.
It will be happening this weekend, Friday and Saturday. I always participate and help with the yard sale.
As always lately, they sent me home with my arms full of stuff.
Stuff I can use like lamp oil, bug spray, more yard/garden stuff and cleaning products, etc.
They have lots of stuff, they have a huge house and a huge yard all decked out with plants and yard stuff.
They are downsizing, planning to spend time traveling in the RV, basically enjoying being retired.
I am very happy for them and very selfishly sad for me.
"heavy sigh" 🙂

Good Morning Everybody 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Your mac & cheese sounds so YUM! 😀
WAY TO GO!! with puttering and daily maintenance!
So wonderful that you feel the joy of having your home a tidy relaxing sanctuary.
(((HUGS))) 🙂

Hi Joan 🙂
Hope your drops work for you 🙂
Happy you can eat cheese, I can have a scant amount once in a while or I get debilitating migraines, especially from cheddar.

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
Not being able to drive is the equivalent of a cone of shame.
(((HUGS)))
Hope your shots get done.
Sometimes I wish there was a distemper shot for people. ;D
You wanting/needing "down time" away from obligations is your body's way of telling you to just hole up somewhere and rest more.
(((HUGS)))
Doing small decluttering projects is GREAT progress because those small tasks have to be tackled sometime eventually anyway. 😀

Marty is still in bed, resting.
I think getting the stitches out yesterday has made him more comfortable, less irritation on his ear.
The cone of shame is to keep him from scratching while the suture holes heal shut.
Very cold and damp here this morning.
I still need to cover two windows with plastic, maybe I will get to that today?
Want to insulate the outdoor faucet but it is leaking and he needs to fix that before I can wrap it for winter.
He said OK, he will do it later, it's later. 🙁
Neighbor friends have until November 11th. before they're moved out. 🙁
I'm sure going to miss them.

Tillie, tell Marty that I can empathize with him, sort of - I may not have a Cone of Shame, but I sometimes feel a bit petulant and pouty waiting for the restoration of my driving privileges. Even though the smart part of my mind knows that it's for my own protection. I hate having to try and line up rides, it gets so complicated! But for now, barring unexpecteds, I think I have the rest of the rides I will need.

Happy November to all!

Just thought I'd say "Hi" to everyone.

I got some allergy drops last week. They are customized to the patient's allergies by an allergist. The drops were very helpful, but too strong. I got a bad reaction in the middle of the night. Today I picked up new drops: same formula, but MUCH more dilute.

If this works I should eventually be able to eat more foods. It has bern years. All I can safely eat is cheese, chocolate, and fish (tuna fish). Gets boring. Would like to go to lunch more.

Hope Marty feels better soon.

Oh Marty I am so sorry! Your vet sounds perfectly dreadful. If it's any consolation, we hate our vet here too.

Tillie I am keeping the liquids in me and staying warm. I also dusted the bedroom so imagine my happiness. These maintenance things make me so happy. Its been a while since I've dusted and it felt good. I also switched out some of the things on my bed tables. I do need to tackle my dresser.

Puttering music will help. I made mac and cheese with sun dried tomatoes for lunch, figuring the salt would encourage me to flush the fluids and the sun dried tomatoes would provide some vitamin c. Just the boxed shells and cheddar but still pretty tasty. I get the sundried tomatoes that are not in oil, just dry in a packet like raisins. Makes it easy to toss them into and onto things.

As soon as my work day is done I hope to do some more puttering.

Marty, keep your chin up. Poor thing.

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Hoping you are not coming down with anything nasty (((HUGS)))
Rest and drink plenty of liquids to help flush this out.
WAY TO GO!!! for a clean morning kitchen and fresh duvet! 😀

Mean, cruel, evil, heartless, vicious Veterinarian said Marty must wear "the cone of shame" for three more days then return for further evaluation. >:

You should see him flopped down all limp and totally depressed, given up on ever being free again. LOL 😀

Time for me to get his wash cloth and hair brush out to try to cheer him up.

Oh how nice to have your laundry hung out, Tillie!

I am home today because I woke up with swollen glands and I am hoping to head off anything worse. I'm able to work from home so I won't need to use a sick day. Company is very good about things like that, and I'm grateful.

Am washing my duvet cover--like to freshen it up before putting it and comforter on the bed.

It was great to get up to a clean sink and one clean counter today!!! Need to hold onto this feeling.

Have Marty check in later-- need an update!

NOVEMBER ALREADY!!! :0

Good morning everyone 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
WAY TO GO!!! 😀
Hope you and Kitty had a peaceful time under the blanket (((HUGS)))

Have one load of laundry hung out on the clothes line and the next load washing.
Marty (the cat) goes to the vet this morning.
Hope he is all done with that "cone of shame"!

TTFN 😉

Got garbage out. Need to shred papers for the next garbage pickup. All laundry done, folded and put away. Will empty dishwasher and call it a night. Goodnight everyone. Hope you had a wonderful Halloween.

Hello everyone!

Tillie I'm working on my kitchen today. All dishes done and I'm working on counters. One counter free and clear. Washing cat's blankets right now. CM keep resting up! You are so good to help your friend and I'm glad it was a little bit of an eye opener, Anony thanks for th drive-by.

I am trying hard to stay off the internet and do more. The Internet is tiring, I think. If I'm more active I have more get up and go.

I have to confess that Halloween scares me a little. Did as a child, too. I'll just join kitty under her blankets at some point. 🙂

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 😀

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
In the middle of Tucson was a park with a baseball field and a BIG sign stating it was the winter home of the Cleveland Indians.
As a kid I used to go there often and watch them play.
Once they gave me a signed baseball.
Happy you did not lift things while helping your friend (((HUGS)))
Of course you are exhausted from helping, the mental part is more tiring than the physical stuff.
I am very happy that you are recuperating well and don't need things in easy reach any more.
Please continue to take it easy and soon enough you will be 100 percent.
(((HUGS)))

Hi Anonymoniker 🙂
Nice to "see" you ;D

Hi Everybody else 🙂

Yesterday I brushed Marty for at least half an hour and he never wanted me to stop brushing him.
Today I must clean the tiny area by the back door.
Wash the walls there, clean the light fixture, etc...
Lots of dirt gets tracked in there from us always using the back door and the litter boxes are there so lots of litter dust.
Then I will cover that ancient cracked back door with plastic to stop the cold wind from blowing in through there.
That's it, that's enough for one day.
Then I will wash my hair and take the afternoon off and watch the latest episode of "The Walking Dead"
Today is my favorite holiday. Have my pumpkin carved, roasted pumpkin seeds and candy.
I'm good to go! ;D

Everybody have a wonderful and safe HALLOWEEN! 😀

~Happy Halloween, everyone!~ 😀

Happy Halloween, everyone! And welcome to new posters!

I'm glad the Cubs won the game tonight - maybe they still have a chance against the Indians (apologies to anyone from Cleveland).

Finished up my helping my friend with her move. I'm inspired to do more about my own clutter because I've been where she is, and if I would have to move or anything right now I would be again. It's frustrating not to be able to tackle it in a big way due to financial and health constraints, but that's no excuse not to do what little things I can.

Tomorrow I can do some laundry, rest (because this helping my friend did take energy even though I avoided forbidden activities such as lifting). And maybe clear some of the post-hospital stuff from my bed - early on after getting home I put stuff right on my bed within easy reach but now some of it can be put away as I'm getting around much easier.

Good luck to Marty this week! Glad he enjoys the face washing. 🙂

Hoarding hides a lot of secrets and hurts.
Many people hoard as a means to try to protect themselves physically and/or emotionally.
They hoard because they are afraid of what the future may hold for them, poverty, loneliness, more emotional or physical pain.
They hoard stuff because stuff will not desert them or abuse them.
They hoard to fill an emptiness in their souls.
They hoard to try to come to grips with grief.
So many different reasons why someone would hoard.
Some people hoard because it's has been found to be a genetic link in their makeup.
Some people have brain injuries that affect the portion of their brains where keep/toss decisions are made logically.
Some people grow up in hoarded homes and children learn what they live, they know no other way.

I went to a couple church services today which helped me deal with the negativity of a bad situation for a more orderly life. The ministers at the churches deal with all types of problems, hoarding, 12 step programs, offering help and solutions. Long story on the problem situation, I can see some of the causes, but maybe hoarding hides a lot of secrets. (You're only as sick as your secrets)

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
Happy you had a pleasant time with your Mom 😀
Hoping you can lay in a little supply of staples in your pantry.
With Winter fast approaching and weather unpredictable it's always a good thing to have cans of tuna and other basics on hand.
WAY TO GO!!! for what you have gotten done,
especially washing those things that have been laying around since last Spring! 😀

I got the kitchen all nice and clean again 🙂
Had gentle rain all morning but now (3:30pm) the wind has begun to howl and rip all the beautiful Autumn leaves from the trees.
Marty keeps trying to lay on my keyboard so I better stop and just hold him on my lap. 😉

Thanks for the support, Tillie.

Another day where I slept til 11--did get up to feed kittycat. Last night brought over dinner to mom's and we had a very pleasant evening. Today I took her out for a little ride and some groceries. I was able to think clearly and get some things for myself including staples like tuna. Have been out of everything for a long time. Hopefully can eat better now that I am starting to restock the pantry.

All dishes done, all recyclables gathered, washing some fleeces and other things that have been just sitting there since last Spring. Put all groceries away, which is a habit I need desperately. After I eat tonight I will put on some music and start puttering.

Hope Marty can hang in there for a few more days. Glad you were able to start your end of summer work, Tillie. Please take good care of yourself! And Happy Birthday to Nebraska!

Good Morning

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
GREAT BIG ((((((HUGS))))))
I am so very grateful that you are focusing on you and your own needs and peace of mind.
(((HUGS)))
Enjoy your "you" time! 😀

Been up & doing stuff all morning, just now took a break to eat and rest up before doing more stuff.
Marty needs a lot of attention so a lot of stuff that usually gets done in a day has not been getting done.
Still need to unhook the hoses, drain and roll them up and insulate the water pipes.
Still need to put plastic on the windows and back door.
Still have not had a solid freeze here yet so I have been putting this stuff off and that's bad.
We have had lots of lovely rain so everything is well watered and I won't need to water again till Spring. YEA!!!! 😀
The new "Dollar Tree" dollar store opened yesterday. Haven't gone in there yet but it is supposed to carry a lot more stuff like bread and milk and veggies.
OK break time is over.

TTYS 🙂

Happy Saturday, everyone.

It is so peaceful having this day to myself. Have not heard from brother and I'm not worried. He lives in a beautiful place and has a good support system in the building. They will teach him about going to food banks and doing other stuff to make his money last. I don't know how long this will last so I will just be peaceful and grateful for not having all that tumult in my life. For now.

So I stayed in bed til 11 today! I did get up and feed the kitty and take my meds. I'm having first cup of coffee and running the dishwasher. Have some errands that I haven't been able to do due to lack of money. I have to be very careful while I get myself back on my feet. I really let guilt and fear and other things take over and I spent everything I have on brother trying to make things better. I'd be so fearful to tell him I don't have $ that I spent up to limits on all credit cards and have been going without lunch.

Will enjoy my coffee and then go change the sheets.

Tillie so pleased about your new plants. I'm glad Marty is doing okay--it's so hard on both of you. I love you for washing his face and I love him for enjoying it so much.

Good Morning Everyone 🙂

Another dark drizzly day here.
He has the day off from work due to it being a state holiday on Monday.
Yes, in Nevada October 31st is a state holiday because that's the day we became a state. LOL ;D
Since he will be here I plan to go shopping while he watches Marty.
Running low on Marty's favorite flavor of canned cat food, plus I am running out of peanut butter.

TTYS 🙂

Good Evening Everyone 🙂

Hi Tatoulia 🙂
You have had one heck of a month, don't fret not having finished much around your home.
Let us know what your firm plan will be so we can cheer you on. ;D
Tough love is hardest on the one giving it.
Stay strong (((HUGS)))
It's been drizzling all day here but it hasn't been very cold.
Marty is very depressed but I can make him extremely happy just by taking a warm wet wash cloth and washing his face.
He purrs the loudest I have ever heard him purr when I do that! 😀
His ear seems to be slowly healing ok.

Hi Dave! 😀
Thank you.
Wonderful! to "see" you (((hugs)))
I have a pump house. It's well insulated and dry and temperature controlled to prevent the water pump from freezing and a very nice place for storing things.
Has shelves and floor space with the water pump and water holding tank off to one side.
It is conveniently located right next to my garden/yard area.
It was hoarded up pretty bad but last time he was in the hospital me & my neighbor friends cleaned it out so I could use it to store my yard and garden things in.
His stuff was put in the carport or garage, depending on what it was.
We did not remove his paint, there is a LOT of it but now there is also room for everything I have for the yard/garden. 😀
Friends have already brought me over some beautiful and expensive plants and I have planted them as they arrived so they would not die.
Next week I have been ordered to bring a shovel and a trowel over there and we are going to dig up some other things that I have admired over the years.
It's the perfect time of year for transplanting since most everything is going dormant.
Next Spring and Summer my garden is going to be breathtakingly beautiful.
Their yard has lots of trees, lilac bushes, honeysuckle, roses, currant bushes, mountain laurel, rhubarb, catnip and flowers from my garden and my garden has just as many different things from their garden.
It has been fun gardening with them.
They would also plant a big veggie garden and I would water it when they were away.
It produced more veggies than five families could eat or can/freeze/dehydrate.
🙂

Hello everyone!

Well another month is coming to a close and I haven't finished a thing around the house. I think I'll have more time to myself. I have stayed strong in my Tough Love with family member, I miss him but need to get myself together here.

Tillie and CM--take good care of yourselves. It is rainy and cold here so after getting home I hopped into a nice warm shower.

Tillie how is Marty?

Well Dave, Anony, & Ready, check in when you can.

I need to make a firm plan here. So close yet so far.

Hi tillie
Hope you continue to feel better.

sounds like you're getting some nice things. that yard stuff can be kind of expensive. Do you have a little garden shed to store it in (or can you temporarily appropriate a little space in the garage)?

Getting something from someone else's plant stash is nice too. Hope you're able to add some beauty and variety to what you have.

Hi CriticalMass 🙂
Happy you are feeling good enough to sit and sort and help your friend through the tough process of packing to move. 😀

Was up last night feeling sick but managed to sleep through the morning.
Took it easy this afternoon.
Visited with the neighbor friends for a while.
Plan to take it easy tomorrow too.

Hope you are all doing well, miss you 😀

Hi all - quick post

Welcome to the gang, Ready4Change! Hope you find lots of help and camaraderie here!

I'm helping a friend move (don't worry, whe won't let me lift anything - I'm just sitting and sorting). I have to be patient - she is trying to declutter and has come a long way. Her OCD and paranoia slow her down a lot though. I do see how I must have appeared in the past to people who were helping me move! I must stay humble and be tactful.

Hi all - quick post

Welcome to the gang, Ready4Change! Hope you find lots of help and camaraderie here!

I'm helping a friend move (don't worry, whe won't let me lift anything - I'm just sitting and sorting). I have to be patient - she is trying to declutter and has come a long way. Her OCD and paranoia slow her down a lot though. I do see how I must have appeared in the past to people who were helping me move! I must stay humble and be tactful.

Woke up a little after 4am this morning.
Got busy washing laundry and cooking.
Have lots of nice things to eat wrapped up in the freezer now and nothing left in the laundry hamper.
Cleaned up the kitchen too.
Every time I go see the neighbor friends they send me home with some very nice and useful things.
Lots of lawn and garden food and bug killer.
Weed & feed and turf builder and grass seed.
Five 5 gallon water jugs that will come in handy when the power goes out and I can't draw from my well.
Flower plants from their gardens and house plants and flower pots.
Some unique decorative yard things.
Lots of home made pickles and jam and apple butter.
They have also offered me a lot of things that I honestly have no need for so we will sell them in the yard sale this weekend.
It really hurts seeing them pack up and clean out to move. 🙁

Todays cleaning music line up was...
The Police, Live In Concert
The WHO, Who's Next
Journey, Greatest Hits

House is all cleaned up now.
Today I am very grateful this house is so small!
😀